"I love the process of designing instruments, marrying acoustical, electrical, visual and ergonomic engineering with industrial and artistic design."
~ Barry Grzebik (via bassgearmag.com)
California-based Barry Grzebik is a true modern renaissance man. Before founding his guitar company, he served as Director of Engineering at Apogee Sound, where he designed everything from digital signal processors to award-winning loudspeakers.
Barry’s expertise in sound, quality, and craftsmanship ultimately led him to guitar making, where he created the Mendocino model - a lightweight instrument with rich tonal depth, bridging the gap between an ES-335 and an archtop.
Reclaim
The reclaimed or salvaged Old Growth Redwood used at Grez Guitars are from first growth trees often 800+ years old.
This reclaimed wood is sourced from deconstructed or rehabilitated structures such as train tunnels, wine barrels, water vessels, vinegar tanks, barns and factories.
Replant
The Grez Guitars sustainability program, in cooperation with Redwood Forest Foundation, Inc. (RFFI), allows the company to have an annual redwood planting during the rainy season in Northern California.
Grez Guitars are produced in an area between the great Armstrong Woods State Preserve and the Muir Woods National Monument.
Numerous redwood forests exist in the area on both public and private land that are well protected and maintained, but represent a tiny fraction of forests compared to just over 100 years ago.
Reuse
Using reclaimed wood produces exceptional solid, semi-hollowbody and acoustic guitars that are surprisingly light weight, acoustically vibrant, and uniquely beautiful.
Grez Guitars FAQ
Common questions about Grez Guitars - the sustainability story, who builds them, and what makes them different.
Where can I buy a Grez guitar near Boston?
The Music Emporium is an authorized Grez Guitars dealer. We keep a selection in stock at our Lexington, Massachusetts showroom near Boston, and players from across New England can try them in person or reach out to ask what's currently on hand.
Are Grez guitars sustainably made?
Sustainability is central to how Grez builds. The company uses reclaimed and salvaged old-growth redwood, often from first-growth trees 800 years old or more, sourced from deconstructed or rehabilitated structures like train tunnels, wine barrels, water vessels, vinegar tanks, barns, and factories. Grez also runs an annual redwood planting program during the rainy season in Northern California, in cooperation with the Redwood Forest Foundation, Inc.
Who builds Grez Guitars?
Grez Guitars was founded by Barry Grzebik, a California-based engineer and luthier. Before founding the company, Barry served as Director of Engineering at Apogee Sound, where he designed everything from digital signal processors to award-winning loudspeakers. That background in sound and craftsmanship led him to guitar making and the creation of the Mendocino model.
What makes the Grez Mendocino different from other electrics?
The Mendocino is a lightweight instrument with rich tonal depth, designed to bridge the gap between an ES-335-style semi-hollow and a full archtop. Built with reclaimed old-growth redwood, the guitars come out surprisingly light, acoustically vibrant, and visually distinct from typical solidbody or semi-hollow electrics.
What Grez models does The Music Emporium carry?
Our Grez selection centers on the Mendocino, including the Mendocino Junior variant. As an authorized dealer, our stock reflects what's currently been built, so it's worth checking with us directly for the latest availability.